hi
this is my first post on here and im kind of new to the sport, i started flying this year and have progressed quite quickly from beginers planes though intermediate aileron and i've now just bought a second hand ripmax extreme lite, this is my first nitro plane, i havent flown yet but i have got everything together and taxied it around, the only issue i have at the moment is with the os .40la engine, it starts and runs fine but as i go above about 60% throttle it develops flat spots then starts to die off, if i reduce throttle it then picks up again! as this is my first glow engine i have no experience in tuning etc and as i have no flying clubs in my area i though i would ask here and see if you kind people could point me in the right direction!

cheers, chris

Sounds like a lean condition. There are literally thousands of posts about engine tuning on RCU, so the information is here. If you will learn to tune and take the time, your LA will be a very reliable performer for you and will outlast several airframes.

I suggest you find the Forum for Beginners and look at the "Sticky" posts that remain at the top of the list. Those posts contain a wealth of information, including instructions on tuning a glow engine.

Your 40LA will have two adjustments, an idle air bleed screw and a high speed needle. From your description, it sounds like you need to open that high speed needle a bit at a time. There are better instructions, on many topics, in the posts at the top of the Beginner forum.

Best wishes,
Dave Olson

I would agree with the "lean condition". Jester has also given good advice to check out the glow engine forum, you will probably find this question answered a thousand times. But here's give some quick and dirty advice to get you in the ball park. Turn the high speed adjustment all the way closed (clockwise) then open it back up about two and a half full turns (900 degrees). Start the engine and have some one hold the plane in a vertical postion while you work the throttle and make adjustments. Turn the high speed adjustment needle clockwise very slowly until you find the max RPM, when you go past this point the engine will slow down again. Go back and forth a few clicks at a time until you determine where the engine gets its highest RPM, but do not leave it here! Turn the hs adjustment counter clockwise again about 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn past where you got the highest RPM to achieve a slightly "rich" condition. You should be able to hear the engine lose a few RPM when you do this. This should give you maximum power, the engine will run a little leaner when it gets in the air and up to speed so it will get back to max RPM. Hope this helps. Happy Flyin.

thanks guys, i've been reading as many posts as i can on here but couldn't find a spescific topic that related to my problem, i hope to learn all i can about my nitro engine as i've wanted one since i was a kid, its just a bit daunting doing it for yourself first time out!

cheers

Do you have a RC club in your area? Tuning a two-stroke engine is very simple once someone has shown you how to do it. I suggest finding a club and then ask for one of the "instructors" to show you how to tune the engine.

i had my engine up and running in the garden last night and followed the advise from forum members and i've got it singing its heart out! it was only an 8th of a turn out! thanks to all the members who posted replies!

cheers, chris

Hi!
Hope you don't fly it yourself..! Instant crash!

and whys that?